A. INTRODUCTION: BARTHOLOMEW IS NATHANAEL
1. Definition: Sincere comes from an old term meaning, “without wax” defective pottery covered cracks with wax and sold deceitfully. A sincere person does not have cracks, in his/her character.
2. In the four lists of the 12 disciples (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13), each list includes Bartholomew. The name Nathanael is not on the list, but Jesus called him (John 1:45-50).
3. Because Bartholomew is paired with Philip, he is identified as Nathanael (John 1:43-51). Nathanael was from Cana (John 21:2).
4. The name Nathanael means “gift of God.” He is called a “sincere” disciple because he had some sincere doubts about Jesus and expressed them when he first met Jesus.
5. His original name was Nathanael, which means “gift of God.” When introduced in John 1:45-50, his gift of salvation is emphasized. Later he is called Bartholomew which means, “son of Tolmay.” As a follower of Jesus, he was identified by his father, just as Peter, James and John were identified by their father.
B. FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM: PHILIP REACHING NATHANAEL/BARTHOLOMEW
1. Searching for a friend. Philip went searching for his friend Nathanael to tell him about Jesus. Philip found him sitting under his fig tree (John 1:45-48). Israelites usually went to a fig tree to meditate which was also the symbol of peace.
2. Sharing good news with a friend. Philip told how he had found the Messiah predicted by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). Philip, the analytical disciple probably asked questions to be sure. He identified the Messiah as “Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph” (v. 45).
3. Stair-stepping a friend to salvation. Stair-stepping is a process of influencing a person to salvation.
4. Nathanael was an honest seeker of truth, he knew two things about Nazareth: (a) No Old Testament prophet had come out of that region, and (b) the residents of Nazareth poured their garbage in the main street between Damascus and Egypt. This was their way to rebellion against Rome cluttering their small town. Nazareth had the nickname “city of garbage.” Nathanael wondered how the Messiah could come out of that place.
5. Answering objections to salvation. Philip gave an analytical answer. “Come and see”(v. 46). He told his sincere, friend to come and examine Jesus.
6. Jesus reveals Himself to the honest seeker. Jesus told Nathanael that He saw Philip finding him under the fig tree. Nathanael realized by this statement that Jesus was omniscient and omnipresent, hence acknowledge Christ by saying, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:49).
7. Jesus confirms Nathanael’s spiritual decision. Christ realized Nathanael had doubted His deity but now believed (v. 50). Christ told Nathanael he would see Jesus as a ladder between heaven and earth. (Illustration, Jacob’s ladder, Genesis 28:12 ff). Nathanael would see one of the following: (1) Christ at the cross. (2) Christ at ascension. (3) Christ at the Second Coming in glory with angels.
C. TEN PRINCIPLES LEARNED FROM BARTHOLOMEW
1. The Prejudice Breaking Principle. The biblical means to overcome a biased mind is: (1) taking Christ’s perspective, and (2) examining data with an open mind.
2. The Sincere Commitment Principle. A person must live by the principle of doing right that they know, yet always be open to the principle of truth.
3. The Friendship-Character Principle. A person’s choice of friends reflects their character.
4. The Inner Confirmation Principle. When the Lord calls, He gives an inner confirmation to that call.
5. The Doubt Doorway Principle. Some come to faith, coming through doubt. If you are sincere, you will examine both sides of an issue to find truth. To sincerely examine one hand is to doubt the other. All who come to the truth of Christ have examined both sides of life and chose eternal life (John 14:6).
6. Friendship is a doorway to testify your faith to a friend.
7. Because friends know one another and are close they tend to know more about one another; truthfulness is a good place to witness to them.
8. One of the first actions of a new believer is sharing their faith with their friends.
9. Our name is important because it gives us self-identity.
10. Our identification with Jesus is more important than our name.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
Video presentations of the PBC are available online at trbc.org/pbc
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